diff --git a/.bash_profile b/.bash_profile
index 9814928..d52adcd 100644
--- a/.bash_profile
+++ b/.bash_profile
@@ -4,6 +4,12 @@
 
 [[ -f ~/.bashrc ]] && . ~/.bashrc
 
+# set PATH so it includes user's private ~/.local/bin if it exists
+if [ -d "$HOME/.local/bin" ] ; then
+	PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"
+fi
+
 if [[ -z "$DISPLAY" ]] && [[ $(tty) = /dev/tty1 ]]; then
 	exec startx
 fi
+